1851

If anyone knows how to create a successful business, it’s <a href="https://www.facefoundrie.com/about?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lessons-from-franchise-execs-michele-henry-ceo-and-founder-of-face-foundrie-2716768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michele Henry,</a> CEO and founder of <a href="https://facefoundriefranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lessons-from-franchise-execs-michele-henry-ceo-and-founder-of-face-foundrie-2716768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Face Foundrié</a>, an expanding Minneapolis-based facial bar franchise.In 2010, she started an apparel business, with a whopping six bucks in her bank account and an $8,000 loan against her only asset at the time, a broken-down car.&nbsp;Eight years later, the business grew to a $25,000,000 operation with zero debt. For her next act, Henry sold her shares in the company and made a pivot to the beauty industry.&nbsp;Now, she hopes to have the same success with Face Foundrié, which offers 40-minute, focused facials, along with lash extensions, waxing and a curated collection of skincare items. Currently, she has three corporate-owned stores in the Minneapolis area. She is excited about scaling the brand through franchising in this self-funded and debt-free venture.&nbsp;“I love franchising,” Henry said. “I love the model. I love that you can grow quickly. I love that you can bring in franchises, help inspire them and help provide a roadmap to help them be entrepreneurs. Maybe they wouldn’t see that path on their own.”Things are off to a good start. Since she began franchising in January of 2021, the brand has sold more than 50 locations across the country, including Chicago, Nashville and Houston.&nbsp;But that’s not to say it’s been all smooth sailing — Henry was opening this franchise against the backdrop of COVID-19, which had major implications for a close-contact business like facials.“I was lucky enough to launch franchising during a pandemic, so I learned a lot,” Henry said.&nbsp;For instance, she believes the challenge helped her understand the importance of being nimble and being able to pivot within the context of a franchise, where change can be tricky to pull off across an entire system.“I do credit the pandemic for teaching us some really, really valuable lessons,” Henry said.Watch the full video interview above, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCCH6y2H6-M&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lessons-from-franchise-execs-michele-henry-ceo-and-founder-of-face-foundrie-2716768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.

Lessons From Franchise Execs: Michele Henry, CEO and Founder of Face Foundrié

1851 Franchise

Why this new franchisor believes the challenges of the pandemic helped her become a better business leader. 

lessons-from-franchise-execs-michele-henry-ceo-and-founder-of-face-foundrie

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Amanda Evans - Stellar Service Brands - Franchise Marketing Leaders 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Amanda Evans — Senior Vice President of Marketing, Stellar Service Brands

stellar-service-brands-marketing-leader-amanda-evans

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Coffee & Analytics graphic with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Growth Is Messy. Lead Gen Is Uncomfortable. Let’s Fix It.

franchise-lead-generation-insights

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Lessons From Franchise Execs: Michele Henry, CEO and Founder of Face Foundrié

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS